Ruto’s 2027 Running Mate Dilemma Deepens as Poll Puts Kindiki Far Ahead of ODM Rivals
President William Ruto is facing mounting political pressure ahead of the 2027 General Election after a new opinion poll revealed overwhelming support for Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to retain his position as the Head of State’s running mate.
The survey released by Trends and Insights For Africa (TIFA) places Kindiki firmly ahead in the race to deputise Ruto in 2027, underlining growing tensions within the broad-based government arrangement that brought sections of the opposition closer to the Kenya Kwanza administration.
According to the poll, Kindiki emerged as the most preferred running mate for Ruto with an impressive 59 per cent support, miles ahead of Gladys Wanga, who garnered 12 per cent.
The findings are likely to strengthen Kindiki’s political standing at a time when senior figures within the Orange Democratic Movement have intensified demands for the Deputy President slot as part of the power-sharing arrangement in the so-called “broad-based government”.
ODM heavyweights Oburu Oginga and Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho each registered just three per cent support in the poll.
Meanwhile, two of Ruto’s long-time allies from Western Kenya — Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula — posted disappointing numbers, attracting only two per cent and one per cent support respectively.
The poll results come amid growing political friction between allies of Ruto and ODM leaders over the future structure of government ahead of 2027.
ODM figures allied to Oburu have openly argued that the Deputy President’s seat should be handed to the party in exchange for supporting the Kenya Kwanza administration following the political truce between Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga before his death in October 2025.
However, Kindiki has repeatedly dismissed suggestions that his position is negotiable, insisting he remains firmly in place as Ruto’s deputy heading into the next election cycle.
ODM Succession Battle Explodes
The TIFA survey also exposed widening cracks within ODM as factions battle for control of the party following Raila’s death, which triggered a fierce succession contest and ideological divisions over cooperation with Ruto’s government.
According to the findings, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s “Linda Mwananchi” faction enjoys overwhelming support within ODM at 73 per cent, dwarfing Oburu’s “Linda Ground” faction, which polled 24 per cent.
The numbers are expected to intensify internal wrangles within the opposition party as competing camps position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
Political analysts say ODM is now grappling with a leadership vacuum, competing succession ambitions and growing disagreement over whether the party should fully align itself with Ruto’s administration or return to aggressive opposition politics.
Opposition Pairings Take Shape
The survey further revealed shifting dynamics within the opposition alliance, with the proposed ticket of Kalonzo Musyoka and Fred Matiang’i emerging as the most popular presidential pairing at 31 per cent.
Closely behind was a Kalonzo-Sifuna alliance at 28 per cent, while the pairing of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Kalonzo attracted 25 per cent support.
A possible Kalonzo-Martha Karua ticket lagged significantly behind at just seven per cent.
The poll lands at a politically sensitive moment as opposition leaders continue to pile pressure on Ruto’s administration through sustained criticism over governance, the economy and the future of the broad-based government arrangement.
While the Kalonzo-Matiang’i combination currently appears to enjoy a slight edge among opposition supporters, political observers note that coalition negotiations, regional interests and elite bargaining are still likely to play a major role in determining the final 2027 presidential ticket.
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